Eskom

Eskom has announced the suspension of “Stage 2 loadshedding” effective from midnight on Friday, 25 April 2025, following the successful recovery of approximately “2015MW of generation capacity”, an anticipated decline in electricity demand, and sufficient emergency reserves. This development comes as a relief to South Africans after loadshedding was reintroduced on Thursday afternoon due to system constraints. The power utility remains focused on “planned maintenance” to prepare for higher winter demand and ensure compliance with regulatory and environmental standards, with a target to restore “approximately 6000MW” to service by next Tuesday.

Loadshedding Suspension Brings Temporary Relief

On Friday, Eskom confirmed that the recovery of “2015MW of generation capacity” has stabilised the power system, allowing the suspension of loadshedding that began at 16:00 on Thursday, 24 April 2025. The utility attributed the decision to a combination of restored generation units, adequate emergency reserves, and an expected drop in electricity demand over the weekend. This marks a positive step after months of progress under Eskom’s Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which has significantly reduced loadshedding incidents since March 2024.

Eskom’s statement highlighted that “planned maintenance continues to ensure system readiness for increased winter demand, to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure environmental compliance.” The utility is currently maintaining high levels of planned maintenance, with approximately 8,974MW of generation capacity offline as of mid-April, a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year. This proactive approach aims to enhance fleet reliability and minimise disruptions during the colder months when electricity demand typically spikes by around 6,000MW compared to summer.

Thursday’s Loadshedding Triggered by System Strain

On Thursday, 24 April 2025, Eskom announced the implementation of “Stage 2 loadshedding” from 16:00 until 05:00 on Friday due to “higher-than-expected electricity demand, the loss of generation units, and extensive planned maintenance.” The utility noted that despite significant strides in its generation recovery efforts, these factors placed considerable strain on the power system. Eskom urged the public to use electricity sparingly to alleviate pressure on the grid and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the temporary power cuts.

The reintroduction of loadshedding, albeit brief, underscores the ongoing challenges Eskom faces in balancing supply and demand. Unplanned outages, though reduced from last year, stood at 11,362MW as of 17 April 2025, with an Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) of 27.48% for the financial year-to-date, an improvement from 30.15% in the prior year. These figures reflect Eskom’s efforts to address the reliability of its ageing coal-fired power stations while transitioning to a more sustainable energy mix.

Eskom’s Commitment to Restoring Capacity

Eskom has set an ambitious target to restore “approximately 6000MW to service by next Tuesday,” a move that could further stabilise the grid and reduce the risk of future loadshedding. The utility’s team is working around the clock to repair and return generation units to service, with recent successes including the return of Koeberg Unit 2, which has been delivering 930MW to the grid since its scheduled long-term outage, and the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6, expected to add 800MW by December 2024.

The Generation Operational Recovery Plan, launched in March 2023, has been instrumental in improving Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF), which reached 62.96% for the period from April to September 2024, up from 55.27% the previous year. This improvement has translated into significant diesel savings, with Eskom reporting R17.25 billion saved year-on-year as of 20 February 2025, a 58.9% reduction compared to the R29.27 billion spent in the same period last year.

Public Urged to Support Grid Stability

Eskom has reiterated its call for South Africans to use electricity wisely, particularly during peak hours between 17:00 and 22:00. Simple actions such as switching off non-essential appliances, using energy-efficient lighting, and avoiding illegal connections can significantly reduce pressure on the grid. The utility has also warned against illegal activities such as vandalism, meter tampering, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors, which contribute to network overloading and prolonged outages in some areas.

To report illegal activities, Eskom encourages the public to contact the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323. Additionally, customers are urged to recode their prepaid meters before 24 November 2024 to prevent expiration and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

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